Town welcomes 1916 tourist

THE Sugar City played host to 1916 tourists yesterday when the cruise liner Oosterdam docked at Lautoka Port.

The tourists took advantage of the sunny weather and took to shops and vendors to purchase food, handicraft items and clothes.

Australians Dwayne and Rachael Wing were among the tourists taking part in a large variety of activities organised by the Lautoka Chamber of Commerce.

"This is my first time coming to Fiji and I have enjoyed my trip very much. We are planning to come back soon and, hopefully next time, we get to stay longer and see some of the beaches," said Mrs Wing.

"We have been to the mud pools in Sabeto and it was such a different experience. I felt like a kid again."

Chamber administrator Mohammed Salim said tourist arrivals in Lautoka had increased significantly and was a welcome change over previous years.